Digital TV

[MAGS]

G'day Gents,

This is very non-motor related, but I'm in the market for a Digital Set Top Box. It has to be HD TV capable (not pseudo HD, as in up-res'd SD) and has to have an 80Gb HDD ias well (basically to replace the VCR). I value your opinions, so what experiences has any of you had ??? good brands ?? Not really interested in DVD burners as they're nowhere near their potential (for example, SONY Blu-Ray - 20-24Gb per layer, honestly).

I've got a bad habit of buying the name brands (Sony vs Panasonic) :cool: when it comes to Home Entertainment, as I like their quality. But I could be persuaded to "changeover".

Any help would be appreciated. I'll be buying in the next 2-3 weeks, pending tax check in the mail.

Thanks in advance.

[karter42]

Try www.dvrsdirect.com.au, great service and support, overnight delivery.
I have the Strong with 80GB HDD, fantastic unit.

Karter42.

[HRTSEN]

Hi

Manufacturers are working on HD set top boxes with an internal HDD. It looks like something good should be developed by the end of 2004.

At present their are a few good set top boxes with SD and HDD's. Check out the Topfield and Opentel as they seem to be the market leaders for HDD in a set top box.

Try and stay clear of the Strong model for now. The new Sony ($999) to be released with a twin tuner and HDD is looking to be a re-badged Opentel ($599) at this point in time.

regards,

Richard Taranto
www.satworld.com.au

[jneil]

Perfect thread as I have been thinking of this too!!

I would like to have the hamburger box though....HD STB, 80gb+ HD, DVD burner, AND a network adapter so that I can suck crap to/from my PC's as well!!! I know I am probably pushing stuff up hill, but oneday someone will make one.

I could do without the network capability IF it has a DVD burner. I want to be able to take stuff that I have recorded and play them elsewhere (in the portable dvd player, at work, at friends houses etc.). I know the potential of DVD's but something (4.7gb) is better than nothing (0gb)!

I don't want to buy both a HD STB with 80gb AND a DVDRW with 80gb.

Is anything available Richie, or do I want 6 months??

Jeff.

[HRTSEN]

Hi

Wow Jeff you have some good ideas up your sleeve. This type of equipment is coming out very soon!

I beleive next year these all in one devices will start popping out at big prices. I just found out that lcd screens are going to be released with internal HDD's in them for recording! Sick Re!

Some satellite receiver manufacturers have had products that have a satellite digital tuner, hdd, dvd burner, network port....all they need to do is make it work on terrestrial tv (7,9 10 etc)

regards,

Richard
CLUBVX

[scat2k3]

Hi Mags, Jeff and others.

If you have a PC you can hook up to your TV, then you can get the lot with this little device. I got one a few weeks ago and it does everything on your wish list using the resources of your PC. Picture quality is astounding.

Specs are here: http://www.cedge.com.au/Frames/mainframe_link/addon%20cards/2452.htm

Cheers,

Scott

[chevypower]

What's the point of having a HD STB that records on to DVD? DVD is only for standard definition (you wont fit much in HD on there) Blu-Ray Recorders with built in HD tuners will do that job, and Panasonic are bringing out new DVD recorders with built in SD Digital Tuners

[HRTSEN]

Hi

How are you chevypower, hows the car? Ok people often ask for a HD box with DVD burner so they can

1) copy programs onto disk even though it is in SD

2) so they can play all the cd's and dvd's in the one unit

Panasonic are bringing out a combined unit to tackle the Samsung unit allready released.

Bring on the technology! I have heard about Blu-ray but do not know anything about it.

regards,

Richard
CLUBVX

[chevypower]

hey CLubVX i posted a reply, maybe i exited before i saved it? wierd.. i will write it again
The Caprice is awesome thanks :-) For the reasons you give, i would go the Sony Blu Ray recorder... it's supposed to be out reasonably soon i believe.
Sony have got the Blu Ray technology up and running in a Professional format called XDCAM which allows videographers a choice to record in either DVCAM or MPEG IMX codecs (both are standard definition) but with this particular format, it reads and writes in Random Access, allowing multi-layers to be used (where there would be no transition delay) it really is awesome, they can even shake the cameras up and down really hard and it wont skip. Those Blue Laser discs come in a case too, so no dirt or scratches can get on the Disc... it is just about the perfect medium.

If you want to have something now that records in 720p or 1080i seemingly uncompressed, get a JVC D-VHS D-Theater machine... its not available for our market but you can buy the machine through my old work (Tasman AV) who will import it for you, and you can buy the movies and blank media on the Internet - it KILLS DVD quality - downside, is it is tape meaning continuous playback and recording or dirty heads can still cause drop outs

[jneil]

I appreciate the comments chevypower, but I don't want some propriatry system, what would be the point?

The whole idea of a DVD burner is that every man and his dog has one and it is a way of taking the recorded program elsewhere knowing that it'll play.

For me, DVD quality is fine for the disks that will be burnt. I will still have the best picture for live stuff and recorded within the unit stuff.

Jeff.

[V-Car]

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but with some of these recorders burning disc's in +R and others in -R (and alot of players preferring one or the other) which format do you guys feel will be dominant in the future?
I can burn both but have more success in other peoples players with -R.
Thoughts please?

Also, id like advice about getting a terrestrial digital tv capture card for my PC?
Quality, brands etc?
Thanks in advance.

[HRTSEN]

Hi

Thanks for that informative reply about Blu-Ray. Are other manufacturers/vendors going to use this technology too or is just Sony?

JVC's system does in no way seem as attractive as Sony's option. What was the approx price of the JVC D -VHS D - Theatre machine?

regards,

Richard
CLUBVX

[MAGS]

Hi Mags, Jeff and others.

If you have a PC you can hook up to your TV, then you can get the lot with this little device. I got one a few weeks ago and it does everything on your wish list using the resources of your PC. Picture quality is astounding.

Specs are here: http://www.cedge.com.au/Frames/mainframe_link/addon%20cards/2452.htm

Cheers,

Scott

Scott,

Cheers mate... that's the next little project, I want to set up a Mini-Cube computer as my home theatre system as the gear I have is very dated. But that's not until after Uni is finished as I'll fail my thesis otherwise, playing with it too much.

Dare I say this, but the Set Top Box is an interimm it'll be for the living room where I spend most of my time, plus the antenna port is right next to the TV there. I'm sure I'll be back here when the mini-cube project is running looking for advice for PCI TV tuner cards. As the cards are great at the moment, but the software support is nowhere near the best.

Chevypower...

As for the Blu-Ray recorders they are currently release is for Japan only (I did a seminar on them last year). If it ever gets here, the media (i.e. enclosed DVD thingy) will be damn expensive, even though it's exactly the same media as currently used. It's the laser in the DVD Burner that's changed. I reckon it'll be a while before they come over our way.

V-Car....

I don't think there's a big difference between +R and -R, I think it's in the way the pits and mounds (1's and 0's) are burnt into the media, but I was of the opinion most burners now are capable of burning one, but reading both (or maybe it's the other way around :bash: ) I can't remember, I'll have a look at my old notes... I've never really looked into a DVD burner, as the current ones will be seriously outdated as soon as the Blu-Rays come (if they ever do :rolleyes: )

[chevypower]

JNeil if you are happy with DVD quality, and want the compatibility, go with the DVD recorder with built in SD digital tuner - an HD would serve no purpose to that.
Yes Blu-Ray will be adopted by other manufacturers however, as usual there is another format called H-DVD - i dont think that will take off

D-Theater DVHS machine will set you back a couple of grand i believe - call Tasman AV on 03-9416-2255 ask for Gary in projects, tell him Alex (who used to work there) told you about it. - At least go check it out

DVD-R was accepted by DVD Forums, DVD+R wasn't - i believe +R has a slight performance advantage, but nothing worthwhile. Playback compatibility doesnt seem to be any issues, however just to make sure -R is the preferred format - Even Sony stuff can now burn -R

MAGS Blu Ray will definately be available here, it's just a matter of time. Sony Australia are always tight lipped about this stuff

[MAGS]

Thought I'd type a quick post on the results of my Digital efforts.... I've decided to wait until the end of the year when I upgrade the TV and I'll buy the DVR then... I haven't gone without Digital TV though, decided to buy a TV Tuner card for the geek box (comfuser) and after spending 5 1/2 hours to get my computer working again... (BIOS problems)... now instead of a 80Gb HDD to save on, I'm only limited to 200Gb.... all sorted and am now extremely happy as I'm currently watching the might Brisbane Lions flog the Saints.

Thanks to those who gave advice... will probably pick brains at the end of the year to see if you have heard anything new....

Cheers

[Ricko]

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but with some of these recorders burning disc's in +R and others in -R (and alot of players preferring one or the other) which format do you guys feel will be dominant in the future?
I can burn both but have more success in other peoples players with -R.
Thoughts please?

Also, id like advice about getting a terrestrial digital tv capture card for my PC?
Quality, brands etc?
Thanks in advance.
-R or "minus" media has greater compatability with players not actually specced to play recordable DVD's., about 80% or more.

Most newer recordable drives burn both media (in PC's at least) and the better desktop players will play either. By the time either one becomes dominant (if at all) the high definition replacement will be out anyway.

[HERCULES]

I recently purchased a Strong SD Set top Box, as I have a Loewe Planus TV which is SD, I got it without the hard drive. Then I also went and got the latest Toshiba DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM recorder with a 80GB HDD, I record everything to the hdd then I edit it then burn it onto a DVD, setting 2 which is 122 minutes on each 4.7GB DVD-R, the best picture quality is setting 1 but you only get 1 hours worth on each disk. The picture quality difference is not much at all so i just use setting 2. I recordered the Athens Olympic Games, opening and closing ceremonies in SD Digital via the Strong SD Set top box and the picture quality is unreal.
My PC Dvd burner is a Pioneer A07 which does + and -, but the Toshiba does only - and DVD-RAM, I like using the minus media anyway as it doesnt cost me much, its actually cheaper to buy a DVD-R than a 2 hour blank tape, so Im glad I brought it.


R.I.P VCR :dance:

[chevypower]

At least you can set your chapter points on a computer too.

[HERCULES]

At least you can set your chapter points on a computer too.
I can create chapter points and menu's with the Toshiba home theatre dvd recorder as well as the computer dvd recorder.

[V8Symphony]

http://www.dtvforum.info

that's where I did all my research.... I picked up an LG LST-4100P

am exceptionally happy with it, got it at the same time as my 76cm Panasonic Fine Pitch 200a tele.

I think I'm getting square eyes, I live in front of the telly now.

:)

cheers

[LS1-250]

I bought the Topfield TF5000PVRt harvey norman $999.00 today
120g hard drive.
works great,
Picture it excelent.
only unit on market with dual DIGITAL tuners.

[HRTSEN]

I bought the Topfield TF5000PVRt harvey norman $999.00 today
120g hard drive.
works great,
Picture it excelent.
only unit on market with dual DIGITAL tuners.

Hi

Man....that is very expensive!

The Opentel ODT4200PVR has dual DIGITAL TUNERS coupled with an 80 gig hdd retails at $649. I can supply them much much cheaper than that.

regards,

Richard
CLUBVX